how do I get my cats to tolerate each other!?

[luckystar2110]

Hello, I adopted a kitten about 6 months ago and from the day we brought him home to our other cat, things have been difficult. Our old cat, Priscilla is almost 8 and the kitten, Paddington Is now 6 months old.   These two do not get along.  Any chance they get Paddington is chasing and pawing at Priscilla and all she does is run away growling and hissing.  We try to have them around each other as much as possible with the hopes they will get used to one another but this is getting exhausting.  They got into it today and Priscilla was so frightened that she peed on the floor.  I have tried the claming spray, but that has not seemed to help and we do not really know what else to try.  I don't think Paddington is trying to hurt her but she clearly wants nothing to do with him and he is relentless. Does anyone have any suggestions of what we can try to at least have them tolerate each other?? We really do not want to get rid of him but we also do not want either of them to get hurt.  Thanks!

[KittyCatLover23]

How much room do you have in your house? Do you have spots for each cat to sleep and relax? How about litter boxes? A lot of cats don't get a long or fight because the owner doesn't have enough boxes.

[janelovescats12]

Cats need space. They aren't pack animals. You can try playing with them at the same time, Just make sure they have space to have their time alone.

[CML2014]

Hi Lucky,

Kittens PLAY, that is what they do!  Poor Pirsicilla is ready for the retirement home and in comes this Ninja cat.  Yes I would imagine Pris is ! pissed!

Usually when introducing new cats , you would keep the new cat separated in their own room with food, water, litter box, and toys. This allows the established cat the opportunity to get accustomed to the scent of the new cat, and eventually after a week or so you would allow them supervised contact if the older cat seemed to be getting used to the new one.

This still could work--like starting over. Problem is kittens will want to play and older cats are done with the rambunctiousness of this new kitten. Usually a few swats from Pricilla (as a mama cat would)  should alert Paddington to "enough, already".

There are many here who have had this experience so I am sure they will help with some advice. Please if you must relocate Paddington try and find a home for him first yourself. This way he will not have to go thru the trauma of a rescue .

Thanks, and keep us posted!
CML

[MYoungAtHeart]

Reduce the urge to fight by adding more territorial space so the cats don't have to share climbing, hiding, and perching areas. Create a house of plenty with MORE toys, cat trees, litter boxes and feeding stations than the cats can use all at once.

Your 8 year old is the Queen of the house and it may take awhile for this to resolve.

I know kittens are so cute and get more attention, but it is also important for the older cats to continue getting attention.
When I tried to intervene with my girls, the older one would get even crankier towards the kitten.  

Have you asked your vet for help and guidance during this time.?

Cats that hate each other and draw blood during fights have an extremely poor prognosis. When all tactics have failed to stop two indoor cats from fighting, then ultimately one cat may need to be placed in a new home or permanently segregated from the other in another part of the house. That's NOT giving up-it's making life better for the cats, and you.

Wishing you the very best...please let us know how it is going with your cats...